As a lifelong Bengals fan, last night’s loss was hard to
take - the hardest one yet. Even harder, however, is the conversation I had to
have with my 8-year old son this morning.
Raising a kid these days is hard. Social media, school
shootings, bombings. Every day there is a conversation about something scary,
over which we have little or no control. These topics are not fun to discuss
much less make sense of for young kids. Today our talk was hard as we tried to
explain your choices during last night’s game, but different in that we do have
some control. During our talk today our family decided to ‘fire’ the Cincinnati
Bengals as our team.
As a member of a professional sports organization - owners,
coaches, players, equipment managers - you have a responsibility. Of course,
your primary responsibility is to win games – ahem.
But beyond winning, and perhaps more importantly (at least
for a mother of three young children who want to be fans) is the responsibility
to set a good example. To conduct yourself in a manner that your fans are proud
of, one that we want to emulate. Last
night there were so many things that did exactly the opposite and the reason
why I cannot let my children to root for you.
There are important life lessons that I want my children to
learn by being a member and a fan of a team: Doing their best work each time. Working
together for the success of the team. Displaying self-control. Being humble in
victory and gracious in defeat. Respecting their opponents, coaches and the
officials. Taking responsibility for your actions. Conducting themselves in a way that their team, their fans and their
family would be proud of.
Players – your name
is on the jersey not only on the field during play but also on my kid’s back
because he wants to be like you. After last night I can no longer, in good conscience,
allow my child to wear a Bengals jersey – certainly not with the names Burfict
or Jones. Not after your display of selfishness, utter lack of self -control
and disrespect of every player on the field, every fan in the stadium and all
of us at home watching – hoping for a Bengals playoff win.
My kids will find a replacement team – it will be easy for
them. For me, it is a bit harder. For 42 years I have worn orange and black, I
have watched, cheered and championed your team– even before you were here. I
will be sad. But I have to set a good example for my kids and help them grow up
to be the things that you are not.
